All the Trimmings

Imagine your Thanksgiving dinner table for a moment.  The turkey's the centerpiece, but the trimmings make it sing.  Its the same with walls in your house. 

 

Take a look at these before and after pictures and you'll see how basic trim work can dramatically change the look and personality of your room.

Before, the wall is plain, with no real color or wow factor.  But after a carpenter adds some simple trim materials and paint ,the wall has a custom, full paneled look.

This is a great way to showcase special art, or anchor nearby furniture - in this case, the piano.  The trim comes in a variety of textures and patterns that provides a customized look to stand out from every other wall.  In terms of trimmings, think of this as a solution as the dressing.

How to Create a Lodge Cabin Decor

Combining Elements of remote wilderness animals and natural outdoor elements and turn them into decorative pieces.  Rustic style home decor pieces include such items as pine cones, antlers, birch wood, elk, deer, moose, fish , bear and racoons.  These items can be turned into functional designs that include lighting or furniture pieces.  Structural pieces, such as snowshoes, paddles, small birch boats and fishing items are a great finishing touch. Check out my picture gallery on merchant circle for more ideas on Lodge Cabin Decor.

Fill'er Up With A Special Cup

When your car needs refueling, you stop at a gas station: when your family needs refueling, give them a chance to stop at a hot chocolate station.  It takes just one square foot of counter space or table space to make room for an inexpensive and popular winter getaway. 

Fill simple decorative glass containers with flavored hot chocolate mixes .  You can buy these ready-made in a grocery store or go online to find simple recipes to make yourself.  Add a scoop, put out your favorite mugs, and as a finishing touch set out an extra mug filled with candy canes for stirring.  This is a quick, functional decorating that makes it easier for the kids to have self-serve treats, and makes your kitchen a destination point.  Enjoy this true conversation piece- as people chat over steaming cups of hot chocolate, and can't wait to come back for more.

Wallpaper Trends 2011

Wallpaper is being seen more over the past couple of years, but mainly in powder rooms, small room, or accent walls.  Trends forecasts indicate thats all changing this year.  Expect to see entire rooms in beautiful designs and soft textured papers.  Paintable papers are also on the rise.  Check out  post from  ShelterPop to find more on wallpaper.
Been there done that with wallpaper ?? Coming soon other creative ideas, other than just an accent wall to set your space apart.

Baby It's Cold Outside

When the weather gets too cold for flowers in your outside planters, bring the planters inside to let your decorating imagination bloom instead.  Fill one with dirt then pebbles and stone, top with some of your favorite natural pieces - grass, shells from a special vacation, maybe even a dried flower arrangement you've had sitting in the back of a closet somewhere.  

Top it with a piece of round pre-cut glass you can find at any discount store.  It won't put much of a dent in your budget, so you have a unique showcase piece at a price much less than something off the showroom floor.  Have fun seeing how this table can warm your house on a cold winter day. 

Floor Vents That Stand Out Like A Sore Thumb

Have a floor vent that stands out like a sore thumb?  Paint the floor vent to match the floor.  This vent was white and looked awful next to the travertine floor.  Took 5 min to paint the vent to flawless flow with the floor.

2011 Color Trends

5 New Paint Colors to try out:

1.Classic Grey: 1548 Benjamen Moore  Great Modern neutral tone that has an airy feeling and creates light.

2.  Blue Arrow:  5001-3C Valspar   Goes well with most trim work and provides a calming without boring look.

3.  Sea Salt:  6204 Sherman Williams  Modern but classic color that goes well with most accents.

4.  Clay Beige:  OC-11 Benjamen Moore   Chameleon color.  Wonderful neutral color.

5.  Savory Beige:  Valspar 10-C  Looks good with most everything and goes everywhere.  

Go to your local store to get samples of these colors or give me a call for a color consultation and I'll bring the colors to your space.